Study programme

Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage

Programme structure

The programme has a workload of 120 ECTS:

60 ECTS object-focused practical training

42 ECTS theory courses

18 ECTS thesis

The practical projects will focus on one of the nine disciplines. At least one of the practical components will comprise an interdisciplinary project that also draws on other disciplines. The thesis is the result of an individual project. You will also take part in a programme of presentations, lectures and symposia.

Detailed course information

Specialisations

The Master's in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage comprises ten specialisations. Please see the headers on the left.

Thesis

The individual research project is related to the practical project and leads
to a thesis of 18 ECTS. The research topic will be determined in consultation
with your thesis supervisor.

Master’s programme: made up of three parts

The entire programme for becoming a conservator-restorer consists of three
parts:

a Bachelor’s degree certificate in humanities or science, possibly including
a minor in Conservation and Restoration (30 ECTS);

the two-year Master's programme;

a two-year postgraduate track.

Postgraduate track

Students who have completed the Master’s degree in Conservation and
Restoration can apply for a place on the postgraduate track, in which they will
do a conservator-restorer traineeship. Trainee conservator-restorers are
University employees.

This postgraduate track is done at a training studio following the Master’s
programme and consists of a closely supervised practical traineeship in which
the trainee conservator-restorer takes part in conservation and research
projects, working with increasing independence.

Throughout the entire postgraduate track there are also lectures, gatherings
and presentations to help build up an understanding of business dealings,
management, law, ethics and communication. There are also seminars with fellow
students from within the chosen conservation discipline and others. A six month
internship is also part of this track.

The UvA is responsible for assuring teaching quality. Quality assurance for
the conservation of the objects performed during the programme are the
responsibility of the accredited conservation studios, in close consultation
with the client/owner.

Upon completion of the postgraduate track you will have satisfied the
international criteria for conservator-restorers and will be able to establish
yourself as an independent conservator-restorer in one of the following
disciplines: book and paper; photography; glass, ceramics and stone; historic
interiors; wood and furniture; metal; contemporary art; paintings and textiles.

Qualification

Completion of the Master’s degree qualifies you as an academic scholar in the field of Conservation and Restoration, not as a conservator. You qualify as a conservator only when you successfully complete the subsequent Post-Master's programme.